Our text for this week is Ephesians 4:29:
If this one verse were obeyed, it would not only change our own lives, but the life and expression of the entire church as well. Consider for a moment just how differently both would be if all of our words were used to build up instead of tear down, to impart faith and hope instead of doubt, and love and peace instead of fear and division. This one thing could transform the church from the babel of confusion that it now is, to the most extraordinary, wonderful, and powerful family that it is called to be.
Proverbs 18:21 states, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” How could such a small member of our body have such power? Words are actually the most powerful force on earth, controlling the destiny of nations much more surely than armies or politics ever have. That is why James wrote that “...If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well” (James 3:2). Think about that! If we can control our tongues we will be perfect, able to control our whole body as well! This is because, as we are told in Matthew 12:34, “… For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” Therefore, if our mouth is only speaking that which is pure it is because it is pure. This is confirmed in James 3:3-8:
Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race.
But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
Since this is a true statement and our tongues actually set the course of our life, how much more devoted should we be to ensuring that our tongues give life instead of death, faith and hope instead of doubt and hopelessness, love and peace instead of bitterness and division? We must also remember that as we are told in Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” Therefore, if we want to reap life and faith we need to sow life and faith. If we want to reap grace and mercy we need to sow grace and mercy. However, if we are sowing bitterness and division these things will come back to us. We are sowing what we are going to reap with our words.
This is why one of the most important things we can do in our life is learn to control what we say, speaking only those things which edify and build others up, determining that we will “let no unwholesome word proceed from our mouth...” (Ephesians 4:29).
One way that we can begin to control our words, and start setting a more positive course for our lives, is to do a word fast. Fasting is one of the biblical ways that we can humble ourselves, and we know God gives His grace to the humble. A word fast is when we determine to reduce our communication to just what is absolutely essential to perform our jobs or other essential duties. Like fasting from food, it is probably better that you start with a short fast, and then work up to longer ones. Not only will this help you control what comes out of your mouth, but you will also have the added benefit of God giving His grace to you.
One of the goals of a word fast could be to set a goal of reducing the number of words that you speak at all times by say 50 percent. If you do this you will be amazed at how much more others will start to respect you, perceiving you to be one of greater wisdom as we are told in the following verses:
“He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is counted prudent (Proverbs 17:27-28).
When we start to gain control of our words we will treat each one like precious ammunition that we want to carefully aim to hit the target in order to edify others. We may only speak 10 percent as much as we used to, but we will bear many times more good fruit. The ones who learn to control their tongues are also the ones who can be trusted with the greatest prophetic anointing because they are not “lose cannons,” but those who know how to hit the target of words that are given prophetic power.